THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



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clay, independently of which, they possess the advantage over 

 stone walls, as being better calculated for the training of the 

 trees. Some authors have gone so far as to say, that where 

 bricks cannot be procured, it is better to dispense with walla 

 altogether; but against this opinion, we enter our most de- 

 cided caveat, for many excellent walls are made of stone, mud, 

 and wood, which have been found to produce the most luxu- 

 riant crops of fruit. In those places, where bricks are scarce, 

 the walls may be built of stone, and faced with brick, and in 

 such cases, they are as good as those built entirely of brick : 

 w^alls of this description are often met with in Scotland, and in 

 many parts of England, where stone is abundant. Stone walls, 

 if well built, are more durable than brick ones, particularly 

 those, which are built of stones dressed to regular sizes and 

 laid in courses. Mud walls are used in many places where 

 both bricks and stones are scarce, and for low walls they ai'e 

 found to produce the desired effect ; these walls, however, re- 

 quire to be secured by thatch, or broad projecting copings, in 

 order to render them dry, or else the expansion occasioned by 

 fi'ost would soon reduce them to ruin. These copings, although 

 offensive to the eye, are nevertheless of considerable benefit to 

 the trees in the vernal months, while the blossoms are forming, 

 and also during their expansion, by protecting them from the 

 effects of vertical frosts ; and their use is also obvious while the 

 fruit is in a state of maturity, by preventing heavy rains from 

 injuring their flavor. In the management of the trees upon 

 such walls, the use of the garden-engine should be freely 

 exercised, as the trees are excluded from the benefit of the 

 dews, and also from a due portion of natural moisture from 

 summer showers. Portable copings are useful in granting that 

 necessary protection, as will be demonstrated in the sequel. 



Flint walls, although neither neat nor well calculated for 

 training, are nevertheless often used in chalky countries, and 

 fruits are found to ripen upon them very early. The first wall- 

 fi-uits brought to Winchester market are from trees planted on 

 the ruins of the old city walls, which are chiefly composed of 

 flints. 



Wooden walls have long been in use, but although fruits 

 are produced upon them in the greatest perfection, they are 



£ 



